6 Places To Visit In Cairo

This article was written by Melissa Reichwage, an avid traveler and international development and health professional currently living in Colombia. She holds a Master's in Public Health from Emory University in Atlanta (USA). With familial ties in Myanmar, she has a special affinity for the beautiful landscapes and people of Myanmar. As you probably know, Myanmar has had its share of difficulties, but there's finally some good news: the tourism ban that caused many travelers to steer clear of the nation for over a decade has been lifted. In many ways, being cut off from the globalized world has allowed Myanmar to retain its cultural authenticity, making it an ideal destination for the more adventurous at heart. In 1898, Rudyard Kipling wrote the famous words, "This is Burma and it is unlike any land you know about." The same still holds true. The streets of Myanmar's largest city are stained red with betel nut, and filled with horse drawn carriages and bicycles, men wearing longyi traditional skirts, and women and girls with thanaka smeared on their faces. ATMs, internet, and cell phone connections are few and far between. Colonial buildings have hardly been touched since their British heyday. Now, more than ever, people from around the world are beginning to see Myanmar for what it is: a truly fascinating and unique place to visit. Abundant in unspoiled landscapes, rich cultural authenticity, and friendly people, Myanmar is strikingly different from its neighbors in Asia and there has been a sudden influx of international investment since the government has begun making reforms. It is now possible to buy some imported goods, stay in a luxurious hotel, and hail a taxi off the street. Yangon is likely to be your first stop in Myanmar, and it's not a bad option. Flying into Yangon International Airport (RGN) is recommended as land and sea border crossings can still be a tad insecure. Touching down in the country's largest city of more than five million people, the main economic hub feels nothing like Bangkok, Hanoi, or other Southeast Asian cities. The main sites in the tropical city actually cover a fairly small area and are manageable on foot, although taxis are available. Here are eight of my favorite places to visit. Shwedagon Pagoda: The most important religious site in Yangon stands atop Singuttara Hill. While built and rebuilt several times since the 6th century, the large gold pagoda remains popular with local Buddhists and tourists alike. Sule Pagoda: In the center of the city, the Sule Pagoda serves as a traffic circle in downtown Yangon. This 46 meter high octagonal-shaped gold pagoda is hard to miss. Inya Lake: The largest lake in the city has a nice walking path around its perimeter. It is also the most popular date spot for young lovers. Kandawgyi Lake: Located northeast of the city center, the lake is best known for the Karaweik, a replica of a traditional Burmese royal boat. Enjoy a drink at the small restaurant located at the water's edge for a view of the sunset and Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance. Buffet Dinner and Dance Show: The National Theater hosts folk and royal dance shows as does the Karaweik located on Kandawgyi Lake, mentioned above. A night out to one of these two shows is guaranteed to please your eyes, and ears, and fill your belly with a wide array of food. Chinatown: Located in the center of the city, Chinatown spans a few blocks. Street vendors sell a variety of items from goldfish to colonial coins. Bogyoke Aung San Market: A good market to buy Burmese souvenirs, such as wood carvings and traditional fabrics. Thingyan Water Festival: The most important public holiday, the Burmese New Year Water Festival, usually lands around mid-April. The Buddhist festival is celebrated for four or five days with intense water fights which metaphorically wash away sins from the previous year. It is the hottest time of year and a good dousing is welcomed by most. Turn back the clock with a trip to this time-warped country, enjoy simple pleasures, and discover a culture unlike any other. Here are some good reads to learn more about Myanmar: The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason, Burmese Days by George Orwell, and Freedom from Fear: And Other Writings by Aung San Suu Kyi. **Note: In 1989, the capital was renamed to its original Burmese name, Yangon, from Rangoon**

Sophie Gackowski writes for HomeAway UK You don't have to go to Vienna to enjoy the magic of a European Christmas: Here in the U.K., we have hundreds of events both big and small, taking place across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Whether you want to pack your suitcase full with gems and trinkets, woodwork and crafts, or an array of festive delicacies, here's our guide to seven of the United Kingdom's most wintry and wonderful events. Bath. As a World Heritage City, there are plenty of reasons to visit Bath aside from just its Christmas market. That said, the festive display—which sits in the shadow of grand Bath Abbey—is certainly one of the U.K.'s best. Held from the last days of November until the second week of December every year, it comprises 150 wooden chalets adorned with handmade crafts, decorations and food, including Christmas favourites like caramel and gingerbread. And when you've shopped till you've dropped, Bath's spas will surely revive you. Lincoln. It may only take place over four days in December, but Lincoln's Christmas market—set in the city's atmospheric medieval square—encompasses over 280 stalls, making it one of the largest in Europe. Needless to say there's too much on sale to list here (though keep an eye out for the German-made wooden toys), but with the ferris wheel, classical music concerts and host of traditional events on offer, there's plenty to keep you busy. And as if that wasn't enough, the imposing Gothic cathedral is sure to set the stage. Cardiff. Cardiff doesn't just have a Christmas market; it has an entire Winter Wonderland. Including an open-air ice rink, children's carousels, food and gift stalls and a 60-metre high ride—which features spinning chairs, making it the only of its kind in the U.K.—it's a great event for the whole family. And, taking place between mid-November and mid-January, you can experience a festive Wales without having to forgo an American Christmas. When you've admired all that, why not visit Cardiff Castle or the 12th-century Llandaff Cathedral? York. Yorkshire goes mad for yuletide. With no less than seven distinct Christmas markets—including the Crafts and Children's Fayres and St. Nicholas Medieval Market—there's much to see and do when taking a festive break here. Pick up historic crafts (think pottery and jewellery) at the latter, while enjoying a glass of spiced mead. Baroque and medieval music fills the city's churches from the start of December, carol singing awaits in York's spectacular cathedral, and intricate ice sculptures will be displayed at the Festival of Angels. London. You don't need to attend Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland to visit the Big Smoke, but it's as good a reason as any. Running from late November to early January (except Christmas day, of course—that's reserved for gifts and gluttony!), this lovely event encompasses everything Christmassy. You can grab a bite to eat at the Bavarian Village or Nordic Bar, flash your cash at over 200 wooden chalet stalls, and view the capital from the sky on the Giant Observation Wheel. Travelling with little ones? Don't miss Zippo's Christmas Circus! Salisbury. Salisbury's Christmas spirit comes alive as Father Christmas enters his grotto, the lantern procession begins, and the sound of local choirs fills the air. Set in the city's Guildhall Square, there's an enormous tree decorated with candy canes and baubles, which overlooks dozens of stalls adorned in tinsel and lights. From fudge and hand-blown glass to oil paintings and organic soap, there's just about everything you could possibly imagine gifting. And the next day, take a trip to nearby Old Sarum, an incredible Iron Age hill fort. Edinburgh. Lastly, running from mid-November to early January, Edinburgh's Christmas market is yet another you don't have to actually visit over Christmas. For almost two months, the market below the Mound is decorated with a range of tempting treats, arts and crafts, many of which have travelled all the way from Germany. Sink your teeth into juicy schnitzels washed down with mugs of glühwein (mulled wine, or literally 'glow wine' in German), before riding the illuminated ferris wheel. And, if you decide to hang around until it finishes, make sure you check out my next blog post: In December, I'll share the definitive guide to an Edinburgh Hogmanay! Follow Sophie Gackowski on Google+

This article was written by Andreas Ambarchian, a freelance journalist from England who writes about a variety of subjects including travel, wildlife and sports. This article was written on behalf of the Tambo Blanquillo, a family-owned lodge offering a home-away-from-home in the Peruvian Amazon. The dense jungles of the Peruvian rainforest make boat travel the most common form of transport in the region. The final frontier before the Amazon in Peru is the city of Iquitos, unreachable by road and often the starting point for river trips in the area. Long Distance TravelWhile there are regular flights between international Amazonian cities, the cheapest way to traverse long distances is by river. Boat services are available on a regular basis from the Bellavista Nanay Port. Although departure times should be treated as little more than approximations, most services leave within an hour of the advertised schedule. Booking is not necessary—and not possible—while payment is usually made upon reaching a passenger's chosen destination. CollectivosIn the main, collectivos are used by locals transporting rainforest goods around the area. Raw materials such as coal and wood can often be seen stowed up on the roof of such a vessel. The boats also take general passengers and, although they travel slowly, are very reasonably priced. From Nanay Port, as well as several other smaller departure points in Iquitos, the boats travel throughout the northern rainforest region, making a number of stops at various, obscure ports along the way. When attempting to confirm a route, it is a good idea to enquire on consecutive days, just to cross check the information. The best part: $2 is enough for almost all trips, even for the longer journeys, which can last several days. RapidosThese high powered boats travel the more popular river routes in the region, such as the one-hour trip upstream to the town of Tamshiyacu, located roughly 19 miles from Iquitos. The ride is quite loud and bumpy but, owing to the extra rate of knots, travel need only be endured for around a quarter of the time as would be necessary on a collectivo: in a rapido, the Brazilian border is only a matter of hours away, rather than days. On the flipside, the cost per ride in a rapido is around three times that of a collectivo, yet even that is still less than $10 for speedy transportation to your next destination. LanchasLanchas travel to the neighbouring areas of rainforests in Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia. The larger ferries make slower progress, particularly when they travel against the current, meaning that the journey from Iquitos to the Brazilian border takes about three days at a cost of around $20. For this price, passengers are given hammocks and small meals, and can find cleaning facilities onboard. Private cabins are also available at an extra cost. Plug sockets can be found to connect electrical equipment but, while security is not a major issue, it is wise to keep an eye on your valuables. Day ExcursionsHiring a boat out for the day is a great way to get to know the Amazon and its tributaries. Boat hire for a day costs around $100 per vessel (including the services of a driver) from the Bellavista Nanay Port. If no overhead shelter is present on the boat, then sunscreen is a very good idea as the Iquitos sun can be relentless. Picnics also make a very pleasant accompaniment.Other than a leisurely jaunt along the various rivers in the region, there are a few areas of interest that can be visited to give a trip a bit of direction. Monkey Island is a wildlife sanctuary located on the island of Timicurillo, about a 45-minute boat ride from Nanay Port, while day-time beach parties can be also found on many islands, improbably as it may seem in such an thinly populated region of the world—unless on a private beach, it is perfectly possible to moor and step on land for a drink. The area's famous pink dolphins can be found where the Nanay and Amazon rivers meet. CruisesCruises offer a mixture of short distance and long distance trips with standard and custom itineraries. Tour companies can be found in Iquitos, but bookings should be made in advance online as organization can take some time. From the Nanay Port, day trips can be taken down the river while longer voyages can last over a week and will take passengers deep into the jungle to visit some of the region's most treasured natural reserves. Costs can be quite high, upwards of $1,000, but, in general, passengers are travelling in relative luxury, with expert guides for company.

What does it feel like to live in America's Coolest Small Town? Over the years, a bunch of folks have been lucky enough—and cool enough—to find out by winning Budget Travel's annual Coolest Small Town in America contest. Ask the residents of recent winning towns like Lititz, PA, Hammondsport, NY, and Beaufort, NC (pictured above), how good that feels! If you think your hometown—or your favorite small-town getaway!—has that awesome combination of edge and heart that we consider cool, we invite you to join in the thousands of nominations that are happening over at our Coolest Small Towns 2014 Nominations page! We're thrilled to see so many enthusiastic readers from every corner of America stepping up to crow about their cool towns. At the moment, we've noticed that some regions of the U.S. are especially well represented—congrats, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Utah for getting out the word! For those of you who live in other (equally cool!) parts of the country, we invite you to start throwing elbows as our nominations enter their final weeks. Type in the name of your town and tell us a little bit about what makes it cool! And please remember, we're looking for American towns with fewer than 10,000 people (sorry, if your nomination exceeds that population we'll have to bump you from the list) and a certain something that no place else has—a world-class food scene, jaw-dropping locale, great music, innovative art, and the kind of community spirit that motivates supporters to take to Facebook, Twitter (use the hashtag #AmericasCoolestTowns to help spread the word from Budget Travel's Twitter feed!), Pinterest, and Instagram to propel their cool town to the top of the list. Visit early, visit often, and, as always, keep it cool!